The Apple Of Distraction

Chapter 5: Abdeen Palace, Cairo

Ella began to arrange her stuffs for the journey tomorrow while her inmates stared at her with eyes that melted her heart. Today, they had returned from the raid earlier than usual. She had also seen the gang load treasures into a black sedan.

So unsettled and filled with concern for her inmates more than herself, she decided to saunter outside and get some fresh air. It was then she saw Mr. Rasarani hand over a bunch of keys to Lordia and she got behind the steering of the loaded sedan.

Just then, a strange feeling hit Ella, the kind of feeling that often alerted her when a mishap was by the corner, and this instinct when they came, had never failed her in the past.

Hurriedly, she turned and headed back into her hut, shutting the door after her. Then she stood, staring at the door, as if she could see through it. From inside, she heard the engine of an automobile come alive and she was sure it was the sedan. The engine's sound began to fade until everywhere was once again quiet.

Ten minutes passed, but nothing happened.

Ella shuffled to her bed and slouched in, her heart still thudding hard. She was sure she looked more like an i***t to her inmates. Groaning at the thought, she buried her face in her hands.

She had lost all trust for her instinct when the first gunshot shattered the surrounding silence. Followed by another, yet another until, she lost count. In a swift, she joined her inmates on the floor as they all braced themselves against stray bullets.

It was obvious the gang was under attack!

Gradually, the shootings began to subside. Minutes later, their door came crashing, and then four men dressed in military uniform marched in. One of the soldiers with the height of 5ft 8, black haired, amber eyes; came forward and began to converse intensively with the prisoners in Arabic while the other three helped out with their chains.

He was assuring them of their safe reunion with their loved ones and then, he paused as he caught sight of the American.

“Who are you?” he spoke to her. It wasn't much of a surprise to Ella this time around that another Egyptian could also speak English with an even clearer accent.

“Isabella,” she replied, hiding the identity; doctor, which was exactly the reason she had gotten into this mess in the first place. “And you?”

“I'm Ahmose,” he said.

“That’s a cool name you’ve got,” she admired to keep his attention. “Please, how can I find my way to Alexandria?” she asked and snickered, “-It’s not like I’m being rude, thank you so much for coming to our rescue...”

“I can’t let you leave,” he interrupted and her heart skipped a beat, “-it’s not in my power to do so.”

“No!” she shook her head with incredulity, “Not again, please!”

“I’m afraid you have to come with us,” he insisted.

Tears clouded her eyes. “I didn't want to tell you this initially, but it seems I have to say it anyways. You see, I’m a medical doctor, was abducted by the gang to treat their boss. I'm not with the gang, I'm totally innocent. You can ask them,” she pointed at her now ex-inmates.

Ahmose shrugged, “You’re still coming with us.”

Ella stared at him, aghast. Then ever so slightly, she nodded seeing no amount of plea nor could explanation make him change his mind. And at the same time, the last thing she wished right now is to get recaptured.

She took a deep breath and before anyone could realize what, she broke into a run, out of the room. She ran like never before, but to her uttermost surprise, no one tried to stop her, not even the soldiers outside, instead, they started laughing, laughing at her. And she suddenly began to feel more stupid than brave nevertheless, she continued in her marathon with no damn idea of where she was nor of where exactly she was heading to...until something pierced her skin, her neck.

She reached for it. Only then did Ella realize that she has been shot with a soporific mini-sized dart, and the next thing, she dropped to the ground; unconscious.

* * * * "

Miss Ray regained consciousness.

Slowly, she sat up. In a moment, she tried to figure out what happened and where the heck she was! Slowly, it began to register in her brain. Earlier on, she was shot with a soporific dart while trying to escape, and now, she's alone at the passenger section of a moving horse-drawn carriage!

“-Oh, s**t!” she cursed, immediately reaching for the door, but it was locked.

Fresh tears filled her eyes. Quietly, she sat back and stared across the small window; absentminded.

Right now, Isabella Ray has seen adventure to her neck-level, so much she wasn't sure of how much she could take in anymore. Even though she will never acknowledge it, she somewhat regretted running off from home, down to Africa. Maybe she should have just committed suicide back in America than die here like a flea, far from her loved ones.

Her ride rode into a paved street, past a magnificent building that looked more like a hospital; judging from the two ambulances parked by its driveway.

They rode on, until they neared a large brown gate with walls beautifully adorned with flowers and Egyptian paintings. The carriage paused for a brief check in front of the brown gate...before they finally proceeded in.

Ella quivered in fear as she caught sight of guardsmen patrolling the ground. When the carriage halted in front of a massive mansion, a man dressed in palatial uniform opened the door, and gently helped her down. She smiled her thanks still debating within herself of what her fate would turn out to be. Just then, she saw Ahmose with the other three soldiers; they were walking up towards her. She heaved a sigh for at least seeing those familiar four faces, although only Ahmose’s looked friendly.

“Follow me, Isabella,” Ahmose ordered, walking past her into the building.

Being as choiceless as she was, Ella obeyed, while the other three soldiers inched behind, after her.

“Where are we?” she queried Ahmose, doubling her steps to keep up with his strides.

“This place is the great Abdeen Palace, downtown Cairo,” he supplied yet not slowing down in his pace.

Ella shuddered at how her life had suddenly been transported from Alexandria to downtown Cairo. Nevertheless, she remained calm and began to admire the interior decoration of the palace, especially the numerous golden clocks scattered along the hallway. She was lost in admiration that she failed to notice how every male they walked past tilted to have a second or even third look at her.

They kept going until they entered the throne room; a large room with broad windows and doors. Bouquets of fresh flowers stood in beautiful vases by the corners of the room. The flowers gave the room a nice fragrance and Ella didn't waste time to fill in her lungs with the sweet-scented air...and then she exhaled.

“This place is beautiful!” she said at last.

“You think so?” Ahmose teased, turning to face her. She was one lively fellow, he noted.

“I know so!” she smiled, already enjoying his company.

At last, they stopped before a raised dais on which three seats made of pure gold stood– the one at the center the largest. Ella’s gaze was again on Ahmose, “What now?” she asked not hiding her impatience.

“We wait,” he answered and signaled to the other three behind her. When he moved his gaze back to her face, the liveliness had suddenly evaporated. “You’re safe. All you have to do is prove your innocence.”

Her gaze narrowed, “Prove my innocence?” she snapped, frowning a bit. “I thought I explained everything to you back there!”

“Keep it quiet, will you?” he scowled.

Silence enveloped the room.

“I must advice you, to only speak when he permits you,” Ahmose broke the silence.

Before Ella could ask Ahmose who he was talking about, the door adjacent to them slid open and another set of soldiers trooped into the room. Shortly after, a man wearing a white shirt with customized gold buttons, and black trouser; strode in.

Mouth agape, Ella drank-in the whole 6ft masculine beauty of the man. When she made the mistake of gazing into his blue eyes, her head swelled and she instantly drowned. Timidly, she tore her gaze away and for the first time noticed the brunette wearing a black knee-length Ancient Egyptian gown, that swaggered possessively after the man.

All bowed to the couples, and Ella joined them by curtseying.

They didn't rise until the couples were seated, then Ahmose stepped forward and began to give details in Arabic to the man on how victorious the army was in the invasion of the tomb raiders' camp. He further explained that the natives who were being held captives by the gang, have all been freed and are presently with their loved ones.

Ella also heard him say the treasures though not all, have been recovered as it seemed the gang had moved out some before their arrival.

“And who’s the American with you?” the man spoke for the first time since his entrance.

“She says she’s a doctor abducted by the same raiders,” Ahmose replied.

“And how are you sure she’s not with the raiders?” the man’s woman snapped, eyeing Ella. She couldn't help but acknowledge the fact that despite the American looked shabby; it wasn't an exaggeration she was beautiful.

Ella waited for the right time to speak as she wouldn't let them know she could hear them all. Just then, the man spoke to her and it didn't surprise her this time he too could speak English fluently.

“What’s your name?”

She swallowed. “Miss Isabella Ray.”

“Miss Ray,” the man continued, “I’m Prince Aches, and this is Betresh, my fiancée.” Done with the introduction he continued, “Miss Ray, who are you and how did you end up with those raiders?”

Ella cleared her throat. “Thank you. I’m a medical doctor who got abducted by the raiders. Their leader was suffering from typhoid disease and they asked me to treat him. A day to my freedom, your soldiers arrive to free the prisoners and I end up getting recaptured.”

“She’s a spy, she’s just fooling us!” Betresh interjected in Arabic.

“I’m not a spy!” Ella defended, frowning a little. Only then did she come back to her senses; she has just given herself away that she could hear them.

All heads turned at her, especially Ahmose. He gave her the most astonished stare.

“Oh, s**t!” Ella cursed, covering her lips with her hands.

“You see what I was saying?” Betresh hammered, “She’s a spy!”

Slowly, out of an incredulous voice, Prince Aches spoke, “You can hear us?” It was almost a statement.

Ella nodded. “Yes, but I can’t speak,” she admitted.

Aches’ eyes narrowed into slits. “Are you aware of this?” he asked Ahmose who had now retained his position next to Ella.

Ahmose shook his head in negation, “I certainly don’t, Your Highness.”

The conversation got interrupted by the opening of a door, the same door Ella had entered from. A servant in his early twenties stepped in and bowed. “My lord, the girl is here.”

“Perfect!” Aches said with a clap. “Bring her in I’m sure she’ll help clear the air in here.”